Living in a small space or downsizing can present challenges, but enjoying a full-size home’s comforts is still possible. Thinking creatively when organizing and combining appliances is important to make the most of a smaller living space. In this post, we’ll share 3 must-have appliances for condo living.
When we lived in South Carolina, I discovered the convenience of having a double oven. If you haven’t tried it before, I highly recommend it! It made preparing meals much easier by allowing me to cook multiple dishes simultaneously. Unfortunately, when we moved to Florida, I had to give up my double oven, and I missed it dearly. However, I have found a solution to this problem that I would like to share.
If you missed our post, “How We Downsized from a House to a Condo,” you can read that here.
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1. Double Oven Range
Since moving from South Carolina, we’ve had to buy our second double oven range. Losing our previous double ovens left me feeling lost when cooking meals. I had been spoiled by the convenience of full-sized ovens built into the wall. Unfortunately, our current Florida home is not set up for built-in ovens, so we opted for the next best thing.
When choosing an oven range, take your time to consider the different features each model offers. We selected the GE Double Oven Range, which has numerous features we love. Among them are six burners, rapid boiling, dual elements, and a warming zone with three settings. The oven boasts rapid preheating, steam cleaning, True European Convection, and Air-fry capabilities.
Top Features to Think About:
- Different-sized ovens – Choosing equal-sized ovens may result in insufficient space for a large turkey. We chose a smaller upper oven and a larger lower oven. This allows us to cook big meals in the bottom oven while using the top oven for baking or cooking smaller items.
- Separate oven spaces – There are options available to convert a double oven into a single traditional oven. Still, we didn’t choose this as we felt it would not provide accurate individual controls for each space.
- Convection Option – A lot of double oven ranges come with the option of convection, but it’s not mandatory to use it. It’s available for use if you prefer it. Usually, it’s only present in one of the ovens, the lower one.
- Low to the Floor – When looking into double oven ranges, it’s important to note that they typically sit low on the floor and do not come with a bottom storage or warming drawer. I never use those features anyway. However, it is important to be careful when removing items from the lower oven.
2. Over the Range Microwave with Air-Fry & Convection
I was delighted to donate our large air fryer to Goodwill. After moving into our condo, we had to make some tough decisions about which small appliances we use regularly and which ones have been sitting untouched for years due to space limitations.
You could say we went overboard on our appliances’ Air-Fry and Convection options! We have the choice of both our oven and microwave.
We decided to buy the LG Smart over-the-range convection microwave with sensor cooking. Some of its great features include Wi-Fi compatibility, a scan-to-cook feature, and a light and fan for the stove top with multiple settings. Additionally, it offers various options for auto cooking, including unique settings like softening and melting butter. You can even input the number of sticks that will melt or soften them perfectly.
Top Features to Think About:
- Pre-programmed Settings – I’m still familiarizing myself with our microwave’s various settings and pre-programmed features.
- Convection or Air-Fry – A multi-functional microwave saves space and replaces small appliances.
- Size – There are various sizes and wattages of over-the-range microwaves. It’s important to ensure that the one you choose fits your space.
3. Electric Grill
If you happened to miss it, we published a blog post, “Why Buy an Electric Grill.” You can read it here. Living in a condo or small space can be challenging when enjoying the pleasures of traditional grilling.
We love grilling and lost the luxury for a short period when we moved from our house into our condo. But we bought an electric grill for our balcony and have loved it since! We ended up going with the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill.
Pros of Having an Electric Grill:
- They are convenient. You do not have to worry about running out of propane, charcoal, or pellets like you do with a traditional grill.
- Achieving consistent heat distribution is essential when grilling to prevent uneven cooking due to hot spots. An electric grill is an excellent solution to guarantee your food is cooked evenly each time.
- Electric grills are generally allowed and a great option to consider if living in a condo or apartment. Before buying a grill for your condo or apartment balcony, it’s important to check local fire codes.
- They are easy to use! Just plug it in, let it heat up, and you are ready to go!
Even if you don’t live in a condo or small space, these three appliances can make your life easier. These appliances have helped us adjust to living in a smaller area. Out of the three, which one do you think you would buy first? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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